Humanities

Humanities subjects aim to encourage understanding of how the past has shaped the world that we live in and gives students an opportunity to explore the social, political, economic and environmental make-up of a variety of countries and events. We encourage and develop students’ questioning, debating and decision making skills through a mixture of teaching methods, evidence and resources.

Students are able to grow their empathy and independent learning skills during key stage 4 and 5 and apply them to everyday situations and experiences.

Long Term Plans

Geography

Key to our studies is the promotion of a concern for the environment and the way in which humans interact with it.

We aim to reach an understanding of problems or at least an awareness of the social, economic and environmental issues. It is important for students to be equipped to make decisions for themselves and express viewpoints after weighing up all the available evidence.

We teach by investigating a whole range of topics from small scale local issues through to subjects of international and worldwide concern. Examples are chosen to provide a balance between rich and poor countries.

Students work in a variety of ways, individually and in small groups. Sometimes the teaching is class orientated while at others the work is individual and the students take responsibility for their own learning.

We increasingly aim to encourage our students to think for themselves and to make independent choices when making proposals to improve a situation.

Long Term Plans

KS3 Training Group Success Criteria

History

We aim to promote an interest in and an enjoyment of history as well as an understanding of how the past has shaped the world in which we live today. We employ skills-based teaching methods which foster a critical approach to the examination of many types of historical evidence as well as developing essential study skills. Our courses are designed to enable pupils to understand a range of key historical ideas. These include:

Cause and consequence Continuity and change Similarity and difference Present their thoughts clearly and logically Understand different interpretations of history Understand events and issues from the point of view of people from the past Understand historical evidence Assess the usefulness of evidence Understand the order of events in time

Pupils are assessed continuously and there are annual examinations to test their acquisition of the above skills.

KS3 Training Group Success Criteria

PSHE

Long Term Plans

Religious and Ethics

In Year 7 students first study Community and realise they belong to many communities from their family in Stevenage to the cosmos learning that ultimately we are all stardust. They study an exciting range of religious and cultural beliefs taught through philosophical discussion in which students are encouraged to formulate their own opinions. We visit the local mosque to enjoy experiential learning and students make cross curricular links, understanding connections between Geography, History and RE and associated skills. In year 8 students study Slavery, Rites of Passage, and Hinduism that involves an exciting and spiritual trip to a Hindu temple.

All students in Years 7-9 follow the course set by the local Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) and learn to appreciate amazing similarities and fascinating differences in the six major world religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. In Years 10 and 11 students follow either a short or full course GCSE and achievement is regularly high. In the sixth form we offer three study sessions, each with a keynote speaker, on a contemporary moral issue chosen by students. Recent topics proposed are mental health, homosexuality, and wealth and poverty, the latter involving a voluntary sleep-out.

Parents have the right under the 1988 Act to withdraw students from assembly and RE. Letters on this matter should be addressed to the head teacher. In this unlikely event students undertake private study in the RE classroom. No student has been withdrawn for many years.